Strictly Come Dancing stars Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse were in Leicester today to celebrate the announcement of £1.2million funding towards a network of 2,000 South Asian, female cricketing role models.

The former England cricketer and his dance partner on the hit BBC show were guests at an ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) event held at The Sports Lounge, in Gwendolen Road, Evington, yesterday.

The pair are currently competing in the primetime BBC dance show. In the last two weeks they have been in the bottom two but have been saved by the judges.

Together with former leading England Women’s bowler Isa Guha and local school children from the nearby Coleman Primary and Al Aqsa schools, the Strictly stars joined women from around Leicester in a fun-filled ‘Bolly Cric-Hit’ fitness session combining cricket with Bollywood dance routines.

The ECB is looking to recruit 2,000 female mentors to develop the next generation of cricketers through it’s South Asian Action Plan, launched six months ago.

A spokesman for the sport governing body said the £1.2million National Lottery grant, awarded through Sport England, will be used to “retain, develop and expand” cricket’s female volunteer network.

He said: “The new volunteer ‘activators’ will combine coaching and mentoring to inspire and support the next generation of cricketers.

“They will support the delivery of All Stars Cricket, ECB’s entry-level-cricket programme for 5 to 8 year olds in seven cities and act as role models, showing young people the positive part that cricket can play in their lives.”

The desire to expand the female coaching network was one of the 11 key measures outlined in

the ECB’s South Asian Action Plan, launched in May to transform the way cricket engages with British South Asian communities.

Amna Rafiq, Leicester County Cricket Club Community Engagement Officer, said: “For me, growing up and getting into cricket, it wasn’t just about enjoying playing the game – which was important - it was the fact that I wanted to see women who looked like me and understood my heritage.

“I was fortunate that the mentors I had around me all understood my background and knew how to help develop my self-confidence and social skills.”

She added: “As a result of my own experiences, I’m incredibly passionate about this Action Plan and I know it’s already making a difference to the girls and young women that are involved in the programmes that I help run in Leicester.

“It’s all about encouraging them to get active, learn different skills and make new friends in a supportive and fun environment.”

The new volunteers will work in seven cities – Leicester, Birmingham, Bradford, London, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham.